Robert Downey Jr. explains why he doesn't want an Oscar for Iron Man

Writer: Florey DM

Robert Downey Jr. last portrayed Iron Man in "Avengers: Endgame".

9 Oct – Walt Disney Studios started its Oscars campaign for "Avengers: Endgame" last week but fans were upset when they noticed that one name, arguably the biggest name in the "Avengers" franchise, was not on the studio's "For Your Consideration" lineup.

Robert Downey Jr. was not part of Disney's list of submission, surprising fans considering that many felt he deserved an Oscar nod for his portrayal of Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man.

The actor got the chance to clear the air during his recent appearance on "The Howard Stern Show".

"I'm so glad you brought this up because there was some talk about (putting my name forth for an acting Oscar), and I said 'let's not,'" Downey told Stern, as quoted by CNET.

"Doing (the MCU films) was their own reward. I don't know that it's time or if I am the guy ... to have the Academy recognise," he added.

The actor is no stranger to being an Oscar nominee since he did previously receive a Best Actor nomination for his role in 1992's "Chaplin" and Best Supporting Actor for 2008's "Tropic Thunder".

The discussion came up when Stern asked the actor about his thoughts on Martin Scorsese saying that Marvel movies are "not cinema" and calling them "theme parks" instead.

Downey was diplomatic in his reply: "I appreciate his opinion because I think, it's like anything, we need all of the different perspectives so we can come to the centre and move on."

His fellow MCU stars, Samuel L. Jackson and Karen Gillan, as well as director James Gunn have previously defended the franchise following Scorsese's comment.

Like it or not, there's no denying the franchise's box office draw. "Avengers: Endgame" even went on to beat James Cameron's "Avatar" to become the highest-grossing movie of all time.

Below are the 12 categories Disney submitted for "Avengers: Endgame's" "For Your Consideration" campaign, for the upcoming 92nd Academy Awards that's set to be held on 9 February 2020.